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34
Arlene
I barely had a moment to breathe after Liam kissed me goodnight, his touch lingering on my skin like a bittersweet promise.
As I watched him bid my father goodnight, his tone polite yet detached, I felt the weight of the evening’s events pressing in on me.
Then, as Liam disappeared into the night, my father’s sharp voice pierced the air.
“Arlene, to my study. Now.”
I recognized that tone. It was the one he used when he was more than just displeased. I followed him without protest, my steps measured, bracing for the storm that awaited behind the doors of his study.
Once inside, he closed the door with a decisive click and turned to face me, his expression a mix of disappointment and restrained fury.
Well, I didn’t expect him to smile at me for coming home pregnant, especially not after he found out in such an awkward way.
“You’re truly pregnant for him?” he asked, his words more of an accusation than a question.
I hesitated, my heart pounding. Lying to my father had become second nature since my return, but this time, the stakes felt much higher. The truth was precarious, but a lie could tip the fragile balance I had left.
“Dad, you know I wouldn’t lie about that,” I replied, keeping my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions threatening to overwhelm me.
I realized, though, that I hadn’t exactly lied. I just hadn’t told him anything since I came back.
He narrowed his eyes, studying me as if trying to find cracks in my resolve.
“So, Hawaii was the place all these years?” His voice dropped, thick with anger and disappointment.
I froze. The surrounding air suddenly felt suffocating. “Dad...” My voice faltered. How could I explain something I barely wanted to face myself?
I couldn’t confirm or deny it without inviting more questions I wasn’t ready to answer, and maybe never would be. The best way to avoid lying was simply not to say anything about my time in Hawaii.
“You still don’t want to talk about it?” His voice hardened, and his eyes bore into mine. “I need to know, Arlene. Did you really have memory loss all this time? And more importantly, why align yourself with the Walkers? You know I never wanted any ties with that family.”
His words hit harder than I expected.
“But you were going to give Daisy to Lucas, weren’t you, Dad?” I shot back. “Since when did you disapprove of them?”
His face darkened, his voice rising. “Since the moment I realized they were only after our family for their own gain! The Walkers’ schemes have no place here.”
I bit back a bitter laugh. “Isn’t that what this has always been about? Business?”
Five years ago, I was supposed to marry Lucas, whom I considered the love of my life. But Father and his family always planned for an arranged marriage between me and one of their sons. I just happened to pick Lucas.
“Arlene!” His voice snapped, but I stood my ground.
“That’s the truth, Father,” I said firmly.
He stared at me, frustration and something else flashing in his eyes. It almost seemed like regret, but I couldn’t be sure.
“Is that why you chose him?” His voice softened, but the accusation lingered. “Because you thought I wanted you to be with the Walkers?”
“No,” I shot back, anger flaring in my chest. “Is that why you hated them? Because they’d benefit from the union?” I paused, my voice trembling with a mix of anger and hurt. “You were already planning to sell me off to that young man outside, weren’t you? You already found a suitor, and now that I’m pregnant with Liam’s child, you’re upset.”
My father’s face drained of color, shock flickering across his features. “What?” His voice barely a whisper. “What on earth did you say, Arlene?”
“Forget it,” I muttered, bitterness coating my words. I didn’t expect him to understand, but the way he flared up hit harder than I anticipated. “I was supposed to be married anyway, right? And here I am, engaged and pregnant.”
His jaw clenched, and he gestured toward the door. “Get out, Arlene.”
“Dad…” I protested.
“Go enjoy the party. I need to rest my head and think about where I failed in raising you.”
I knew better than to push him further. The conversation was over. I turned and left the study, slamming the door behind me. My anger burned like a fire in my chest as I made my way back to the party.
Liam had caused this mess—cluelessly and carelessly stirring up trouble I wasn’t sure I could fix.
I would have to figure it out. Somehow. At least my dad’s anger would pass soon enough.
Lies. I knew they were lies, but if anything, Liam had saved the day.
The way his name stuck in my head still baffled me.
As I returned to the crowd, Mirela was waiting for me, her sharp eyes filled with suspicion and a smug, knowing smile on her lips.
“You and Liam,” she said, her voice dripping with disdain. “Something about it isn’t right. And I’ll get to the bottom of it.”
I met her gaze, refusing to show the unease creeping up my spine. “I’m sure you orchestrated whatever drama happened earlier,” I said coolly. “But I’ll leave you to your undercover work. I understand idleness can make people bitter.”
Her eyes narrowed, and her lips curled into a sneer. “Enjoy your little charade while it lasts. I’ll relish watching you fall.”
I smiled, keeping my composure. “Be my guest.”
I walked away, already formulating my next move. Now that my pregnancy was out in the open, I could finally visit the hospital without worrying about paparazzi. That was one less burden, at least.
As the party wound down, I found myself sitting with Olivia and Matilda. Olivia’s curiosity was insatiable, her questions cutting through the remnants of my anger.
The media seemed to have calmed down about my sudden engagement to Liam Walker. I had a feeling that the story would dominate the headlines for months, especially given the complications involved.
“Is Liam really the father of your child?” she asked, her tone skeptical.
I said nothing, refusing to give her the satisfaction of an answer. But when she mentioned Hawaii, my stomach tightened.
“So, you really were in Hawaii all this time?” Olivia pressed, her words stirring up unease within me.
“Well, not all the time,” I said. “And Liam isn’t the father. He just happened to save the day.” I glanced at the glass of water on the table, suddenly feeling as though it were a lifeline.
How had Liam known? The thought gnawed at me. I needed answers, but the realization that I couldn’t reach him only deepened my frustration.
“That was really sweet of him,” Olivia replied. “But Arlene, are you really not going to say anything about your five years of disappearance and pregnancy?”
“Olivia…” I sighed, exhausted. “Whatever happened between then and now? It never happened. No one should ask me about it.”
She fell silent, her expression unreadable.
I turned to Matilda, my voice firm. “I’m exhausted,” I said, signaling the end of the conversation.
“I hope you find peace, Arlene,” Matilda said, calling me by my name for the first time since I returned.
I smiled, nodding quietly, and walked upstairs.